Dynamically shaped conveyor guide apparatus and related methods

ABSTRACT

An apparatus guides at least one article traveling along a conveyor in a conveying direction, the at least one article having a shape. A plurality of guides of the apparatus guide the at least one article, such that positive control may be maintained during conveyance. The plurality of guides are dynamically adjustable in the transverse direction. At least one actuator adjusts a position of one or more of the plurality of guides based on the shape of the at least one article. Related methods are also disclosed.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Utility application Ser. No.17/238,621 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/132,195,the disclosures of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to the article conveying arts and, inparticular, to a dynamically shaped conveyor guide apparatus and relatedmethods.

BACKGROUND

Conveyors typically have rails positioned along each side of theconveyor chain or belt to guide an article along a conveying path.Articles travel between the rails, which are positioned to ensure thatthe articles remain on the conveying path. When a larger or smallerarticle is conveyed, or the width of the conveying path otherwise needsto be adjusted to accommodate an increased or reduced article flow, theguiderails must be adjusted to fit the situation.

Conventional conveyor arrangements typically employ elongated staticguiderails that may adjust toward and away from the conveying path asnecessary, depending on the width of the articles conveyed. Such astatic guiderail does not exert positive control (that is, keeping andcontrolling or modifying the article's separation, relative position,orientation, and stability along the conveying path, thereby maintainingthe article's integrity (i.e., no physical damage)) on the articleduring conveyance. Significant adjustment is also periodically requiredto achieve changeover when the size or shape of the article beingconveyed changes. This may involve deleterious downtime and significanteffort to achieve, which translates to a loss of productivity, increasedcosts, and an overall loss of profitability.

Accordingly, a need is identified for a dynamically shaped guide railthat overcomes the foregoing limitations and possibly others that haveyet to be realized.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus is provided forguiding at least one article traveling along a conveyor in a conveyingdirection, the at least one article having a shape in a transversedirection relative to the conveying direction. The apparatus includes aplurality of guides for guiding the at least one article, the pluralityof guides each being dynamically adjustable in the transverse direction.At least one actuator is provided for adjusting a relative position theplurality of guides in the transverse direction based on the shape ofthe at least one article. The apparatus may further include a conveyorfor conveying the plurality of guides relative to (and in sequence witharticles conveyed by) the article conveyor.

In one embodiment, the at least one actuator is adapted to move in thetransverse direction. The actuator may comprise a cam surface and eachof the plurality of guides includes a cam follower for engaging thecamming surface. The cam follower may comprise a roller.

Each of the plurality of guides comprises a tip for engaging the atleast one article. Each of the plurality guides may further include alock adapted for locking the guide at a deployed position relative tothe at least one article, and unlocking for allowing the guide to moveto a retracted position relative to the at least one article. A secondactuator may be provided for returning each of the plurality of guidesto a retracted position.

The apparatus may further include a controller for controlling movementof the at least one actuator based on a pre-programmed profilecorresponding to the shape of the at least one article. The at least onearticle is a plurality of articles, and further including a controllerfor controlling movement of the at least one actuator based on apre-programmed profile corresponding to a shape of each of the pluralityof articles.

In one embodiment, the plurality of guides comprise first guides alongone side of the at least one article, the at least one actuatorcomprises a first actuator, and further including a plurality of secondguides opposing the plurality of first guides, each being dynamicallyadjustable in a direction transverse to the conveying direction. Atleast one second actuator may be provided for adjusting a position ofthe plurality of second guides in the transverse direction based on theshape of the at least one article.

In one embodiment, the plurality of guides comprise first guides havinga first elevation relative to the conveyor, and further including aplurality of second guides being dynamically adjustable in thetransverse direction, the plurality of second guides having a secondelevation relative to the conveyor. The first or second elevation may beadjustable.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus for guidingat least one article having a shape is provided. The apparatus includesa conveyor for conveying the article in a conveying direction. Aplurality of guides are provided for guiding the at least one article,the plurality of guides each being dynamically adjustable in a directiontransverse to the conveying direction. At least one actuator is providedfor adjusting a position of the plurality of guides based on the shapeof the at least one article.

In one embodiment, the at least one actuator is adapted to move in thetransverse direction. The at least one actuator may comprise a camsurface and each of the plurality of guides comprises a cam follower forengaging the camming surface. The cam follower may comprise a roller.

In one embodiment, each of the plurality of guides comprises a tip forengaging the at least one article. Each of the plurality guides includesa lock adapted for locking the guide at a deployed position relative tothe at least one article, and unlocking for allowing the guide to moveto a retracted position relative to the at least one article. A secondactuator may be provided for returning each of the plurality of guidesto the retracted position.

A controller may also be provided for controlling movement of the atleast one actuator based on a pre-programmed profile corresponding tothe shape of the at least one article. The at least one article maycomprise a plurality of articles, in which case the apparatus mayfurther include a controller for controlling movement of the at leastone actuator based on a pre-programmed profile corresponding to a shapeof each of the plurality of articles.

The plurality of guides may comprise first guides along one side of theat least one article, the at least one actuator comprises a firstactuator, and further including a plurality of second guides opposingthe plurality of first guides, each being dynamically adjustable in thetransverse direction. At least one second actuator may be provided foradjusting a position of the plurality of second guides based on theshape of the at least one article.

The plurality of guides may comprise first guides having a firstelevation relative to the conveyor, and further including a plurality ofsecond guides being dynamically adjustable in the transverse direction,the plurality of second guides having a second elevation relative to theconveyor. The first or second elevation may be adjustable.

This disclosure also relates to a method for guiding at least onearticle being conveyed in a conveying direction, the at least onearticle having a shape. The method comprises dynamically adjusting arelative position of a plurality of guides in a direction transverse tothe conveying direction based on the shape of the at least one articlefor guiding the at least one article being conveyed.

In one embodiment, the adjusting step comprises moving the plurality ofguides in the transverse direction different amounts to create a profilecorresponding to a perimetrical surface of the at least one article. Theadjusting step may comprise raising or lowering the plurality of guides.The adjusting step may comprise changing the elevation of a first set ofguides of the plurality of guides relative to a second set of guides.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The accompanying drawing figures incorporated herein and forming a partof the specification, illustrate several aspects of the disclosedinventions and, together with the textual description, serve to explaincertain principles thereof In the drawing figures:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dynamically shaped guide apparatusaccording to one aspect of the disclosure;

FIGS. 1A and 1B are partial enlarged views of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view showing the plurality of dynamicallyadjustable guides forming a contoured profile for guiding an articlebeing conveyed.

FIG. 2A is a top view showing the plurality of dynamically adjustableguides forming a contoured profile for guiding an article beingconveyed.

FIG. 2B is a side view showing the plurality of dynamically adjustableguides forming a contoured profile for guiding an article beingconveyed.

FIG. 2C is a bottom view showing the plurality of dynamically adjustableguides forming a contoured profile for guiding an article beingconveyed.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view a dynamically shaped guide apparatusaccording to another aspect of the disclosure in connection with anarticle conveyor;

FIG. 4 is a top view a dynamically shaped guide apparatus according toanother aspect of the disclosure in connection with an article conveyor;

FIGS. 5, 5A, and 5B are top, cross-sectional, and enlarged views of alock for locking and unlocking the movement of each guide, shown in alocked condition;

FIGS. 6, 6A, and 6B are top, cross-sectional, and enlarged views of alock for locking and unlocking the movement of each guide, shown in anunlocked condition;

FIG. 7 is a partial illustration of the apparatus showing an actuatorfor the lock;

FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing an actuator forreturning the guides to a home or retracted position, such as at an endof a forward run of the associated conveyor;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the guide apparatus used inconnection with an article conveyor;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the guide apparatus used in connection with anarticle conveyor;

FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative embodiment with dynamically shapedguides at different elevations;

FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of a height-adjustable guideapparatus used in connection with an article conveyor;

FIG. 13 is a partially cutaway enlarged view of the apparatus of FIG.12;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of another embodiment of a dynamically shapedguide apparatus; and

FIG. 15 is a plan view of still another embodiment of a dynamicallyshaped guide apparatus.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferredembodiments of a dynamically shaped guide apparatus for guiding articlesbeing conveyed, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIGS. 1, 1A, and 1B, one possible embodiment of adynamically shaped conveyor guide apparatus 10 according to one aspectof the invention is illustrated. As can be understood, the apparatus 10comprises an endless conveyor 12 having a conveying direction D, andincludes a plurality of guides 14 adapted to move to and fro in atransverse direction T relative to the conveying direction (whichtransverse direction is shown as being generally orthogonal to theconveying direction, but could be a different angle as desired, forexample an acute angle, and usually one greater than 45 degrees). Theguides 14 may be connected to movable support, such as an endless beltor chain 16, which may be driven in an endless path over a drive wheelor sprocket 18 connected to a suitable drive motor (see motor M in FIGS.9 and 10) and an idler wheel or sprocket 20. A suitable guiderail orlike structure may also be provided for guiding the belt or chain 16, orit may be self-supported, depending on what is dictated by thedimensions and weight considerations.

As perhaps best understood from FIGS. 2-6, as well as from FIGS. 1, 1A,and 1B, the guides 14 may be selectively moved in the transversedirection T toward and away from an article A to be guided (such as onetraveling along an associated conveyor, as outlined further in thefollowing description). Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 1A, and asoutlined further herein, actuation of the guides 14 for movement in thismanner may be achieved using an actuator in the form of a movable cam22. The cam 22 includes a camming surface 22 a adapted to engage a camfollower 14 a (static, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), or dynamic (wheel, asshown in FIGS. 2-6) at one end of each of the guides 14, which may bemovably (e.g., slidably) mounted in corresponding support blocks 24(either individually, as shown in FIGS. 2-6, or collectively, as shownin FIGS. 1 and 1A).

At the end of the forward run of the apparatus 10, a second actuator mayengage the follower 14 a of the actuated guide(s) 14 and returns thesame to a retracted position. The second actuator may be, for example, astationary cam 32 having a camming surface 32 a, but could be dynamic aswell. In any case, the retracted guides 14 may then traverse the endlessloop and ultimately return to the forward run, ready for engagement withthe first actuator, or cam 22, when actuation is desired, as discussedbelow in further detail.

Actuation of the first actuator, or cam 22, and hence movement of theselected guides 14 in position relative to each other in the transversedirection for achieving guidance may be based on the shape of thecorresponding article A. For example, correspondence may be establishedwith a perimetrical shape of the adjacent surface of the article (i.e.,the actuation of the guides 14 to variable positions in the transversedirection and the contour thus achieved is based directly on the shapeor contour of the adjacent article surface). The dimensions defining theshape and the degree or number of the guides actuated may include, forexample, a width of the article in the conveying direction D, or a depthof the article in the transverse direction T. Article height orelevation as a dimension may also be considered, as outlined further inthe description that follows and shown in FIG. 11.

Based on the article shape and pitch, the pattern or sequence ofmovement of the actuator (cam 22) may be pre-programmed into anassociated controller R (see FIG. 1A) associated with a motive device,such as a linear actuator 23, to provide the actuation in the desiredmanner (that is, movement of the cam 22 to and fro in the transversedirection to actuate the plurality of guides based on the shape of thearticle). Consequently, a tip 14 b of each of the guides 14 (which maybe rounded or soft to avoid marring the article if engaged) may movetoward and possibly into engagement with the article to provide positivecontrol based directly on the article contour or shape. As illustrated,each guide may be positioned a slightly different amount in thetransverse direction in the illustrated example to account for and matchthe profile of the article being conveyed (which is curved), but ofcourse the article could take any shape. Indeed, if the adjacent articlesurface was planar, the guides 14 might be actuated substantially thesame amount.

In any case, it can be understood that the precise relative positioningof each of the plurality of guides 14 ultimately depends on the natureof the article to be guided by the plurality of guides, preferably withpositive control. Thus, the degree of actuation may be highly variable,including among conveying operations involving different types ofarticles. Still, the automated nature of the actuation sequence avoidsthe need for adjusting the position of a static guiderail with humanintervention, as per the existing technology used for article guidanceduring conveyance.

As one example of a possible mode of actuation in an automated fashion,a common technique used in servomechanism and robotics is known as“electronic cam gearing.” In this situation, an operator provides aposition table to the controller for controlling (actuating or moving)the actuator (e.g., cam 22), which of course in turn moves the selectedguides to achieve correspondence with the dimensions of a particulararticle or group of articles being conveyed. A scanner may be used toscan the article and create a software model (i.e., a pre-programmedprofile), which may also include an indication of the established pitchof the articles being conveyed (as typically defined by an upstreamprocess). A reference axis position (e.g., the conveyor position) and aslave or cam axis position table (e.g., the guide position) representingthe cam axis position for each point of the reference position. Thetable is an interpolation commonly made with a plurality of points(e.g., 250). An encoder detects the instant position of the conveyor andsends it to the controller, which reads the table and moves the actuator(cam 22) to the programed position based on the conveyor position.However, this is simply one example provided for purposes ofillustration, and other techniques could be used, including for exampleactuation for the articles based on real-time operator control.

As can be appreciated from FIGS. 3 and 4, the guide apparatus 10 and, inparticular, the guides 14 may thus be selectively activated duringconveyance to provide a guiding function to one or more articles on anadjacent conveyor C (which may be of the endless belt type, but couldtake any other form). As can be appreciated, the dynamic nature of theguide apparatus 10 allows for the guides 14 to be extended or deployedas necessary to guide or engage the articles A being conveyed based onone or more dimensions of the article, or the shape of it, with the tips14 b extended variably to form a contoured guide (note profile P shownin FIGS. 1A and 1B indicating the variable extension of the guidescorresponding to the shape of an article being conveyed).

As may be further appreciated, the guide apparatus 10 as shown in theforegoing depictions may be arranged to provide guiding function andlateral support along at least one side of the articles A (but may be onboth sides, as discussed below and shown in FIG. 14), which may beguided along a second, opposite side by a conventional static guide railG. Consequently, the apparatus 10 can readily accommodate articles ofdifferent dimensions (shapes and sizes), without the need for themechanical adjustment or human intervention associated with aconventional static guide rail.

To ensure positive control is achieved during conveyance of thearticle(s) A, the apparatus 10 may be adapted to selectively fix theposition of each guide 14 depending on the desired position whenactuated. With reference to FIGS. 2C, 5, 5A, and 5B, this may beachieved using a lock, which as an example may be of the ratchet andpawl type, but could take any form that serves to fix the position ofthe guide 14 relative to the support (e.g., block 24). Specifically, acarrier 26 for supporting at least one of the guides 14 may include apivotally mounted pawl 28 for engaging one of a plurality of teeth 14 con the underside of the guide in a normal or home position. As can beappreciated, this maintains the guide 14 in a locked position.

In order to allow for movement of the guide(s) 14 when desired (such asby the above-described camming action), the pawl 28 may be pivoted (notepivot point V) to a release or unlocked position (pawl 28′ in FIGS. 6,6A, and 6B). With reference to FIG. 6, this may be achieved by anactuator in the form of a cam, such as a static block 30 having a slopedcamming surface extending in the conveying direction D for engaging adepending portion of the pawl 28 during conveyance. This engagement mayovercome a retaining force, which may be provided by a magnetic coupling(note magnets 34 a, 34 b), but a biasing mechanism, such as a spring(not shown), could also be used to maintain the pawl 28 in a position tolock the associated guide 14, and then release as desired to permitreciprocal transverse movement (note arrow B) based on the articleshape/dimension(s)).

As can be appreciated, the camming action achieved thus pivots the pawl28 as shown, releasing it from the engagement with one of the teeth 14c, thereby allowing for movement of the guide 14 in the transversedirection. The cam or block 30 may then allow the pawl 28 to return tothe engaged position to lock the guide 14 in place once moved to thedesired (advanced) position based on the corresponding shape ordimension of the article A. In similar fashion, the pawl 28 may be againreleased at one end portion of the forward run, which allows for the cam32 (FIGS. 1, 1B, and 8; note also conveyor chain 16) having a cammingsurface 32 a to engage the follower 14 a of the actuated guide(s) 14 andreturn the guides to a retracted position. The guides 14 may thentraverse the endless loop and ultimately return to the forward run,ready for engagement with the cam 22 if actuation is desired.

FIGS. 5 and 6 also illustrate that each guide 14 and associated block 24may be connected to a link 16 a adapted to form an interdigitatedrelationship with links in tandem to form a conveyor chain 16 of theguide apparatus 10.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate one possible environment of use of the guideapparatus 10 in connection with an endless conveyor C for conveyingarticles A. The guide apparatus 10 may be positioned on either side ofthe conveyor C, with the opposite side adjacent to the articlesincluding a conventional static guide rail G, as previously noted. Boththe guide apparatus 10 and conveyor C may include suitable stands 36 forbeing supported above the ground. The guide apparatus 10 may alsoincorporate the conveyor C as a single conveying unit. These figuresalso illustrate the actuator 23 for actuating the cam 22, which actuatormay be of the linear type, controlled by a suitable controller, such asfor example a PLC or a Programmable Motion Controller, as previouslynoted.

Various modifications are possible in view of the above teachings. Forexample, it can be appreciated from FIG. 11 that a modified version ofthe apparatus 100 may include multiple levels of guides 114 a, 114 b atdifferent elevations (upper U and lower L). Thus, when actuateddynamically, as noted, the guides 114 a, 114 b of the different levelsmay both engage the corresponding article A at different elevations.This helps to provide positive engagement and guidance (control), andmay be especially helpful in situations where the articles arerelatively tall or top-heavy, tending to deleteriously tip over if notpositively controlled during conveyance. The modes of actuation,locking, and retraction may be as previously described. An actuator mayalso be provided for adjusting the relative height or elevation of theguides 114 a, 114 b (relative to each other or the correspondingconveying surface of the article conveyor, not shown in FIG. 11) toaccommodate articles of varying heights, which adjustment may be doneautomatically based on a height of the articles (which may be sensedusing a suitable sensor, such as a proximity sensor).

FIGS. 12 and 13 further illustrate that the guide apparatus 10 may bevertically adjustable. For example, vertical adjustment may be achievedusing an actuator 40 supported by the stand 36, and connected to asupport 42 for supporting the conveyor (such as, for example, via aguiderail). The actuator 40 may thus be used to raise or lower theguides 14 to achieve the desired elevation for establishing positivecontrol for engaging and guiding articles. The stand 36 may also includeguides 36 a, 36 b for slidably engaging connectors 44 connected to thesupport 42 to lend stability to the arrangement.

FIG. 14 shows that a further version of the apparatus 200 may includedynamically shaped and moveable (conveyed) guides 214, 216 for engagingdifferent or opposing sides of the articles A conveyed on a conveyor C.Again, the actuation may be as previously described (note actuators 218,220), and need not be repeated here.

While the above conveyors are shown as being linear, it should beappreciated that the guide apparatus could be used with other forms ofconveyor. For example, FIG. 15 illustrates a circular or round conveyor300 (termed a “star wheel,” such as for a filling or capping machine forbottles), with actuation of the guides 314 being radially outward toengage the articles A (but the movement could also be actuated radiallyinwardly).

The foregoing descriptions of various embodiments of a dynamicallyshaped guide apparatus and related methods provide illustration of theinventive concepts. The descriptions are not intended to be exhaustiveor to limit the disclosed invention to the precise form disclosed.Modifications or variations are also possible in light of the aboveteachings. For example, the controller used for the actuator(s) mayinclude a pre-programmed menu of “recipes” for known products, and mayinclude a touch screen or the like to allow for ready implementation byan end user. As is self-evident, the width of the guides 14 in theconveying direction may also be adjusted from what is shown as necessaryor desired for a particular implementation (with thinner guidespotentially allowing for greater guiding function or positive controlvia contact with the article being conveyed).

Any elements described herein as singular can be pluralized (i.e.,anything described as “one” can be more than one), and plural elementscan be used individually. Characteristics disclosed of a singlevariation of an element, the device, the methods, or combinationsthereof can be used or apply for other variations, for example,dimensions, shapes, materials, or combinations thereof The terms“substantially,” “about,” or “approximately” are meant to mean as closeto the corresponding condition as reasonably possible, and typically notvarying from it by more than 10%, unless circumstances indicateotherwise. Any species element of a genus element can have thecharacteristics or elements of any other species element of that genus.The term “comprising” is not meant to be limiting. The above-describedconfigurations, elements or complete assemblies and methods and theirelements for carrying out the invention, and variations of aspects ofthe invention can be combined and modified with each other in anycombination.

1. An apparatus for guiding at least one article traveling along a conveyor in a conveying direction, the at least one article having a shape , comprising: a plurality of guides for guiding the at least one article, the plurality of guides being dynamically adjustable in a direction transverse to the conveying direction; and at least one actuator for adjusting a relative position of the plurality of guides based on the shape of the at least one article.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one actuator is adapted to move in the transverse direction.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one actuator comprises a cam surface and each of the plurality of guides comprises a cam follower for engaging the camming surface.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the cam follower comprises a roller.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of guides comprises a tip for engaging the at least one article.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of guides includes a lock adapted for locking the guide at a deployed position relative to the at least one article, and for unlocking to allow the guide to move to a retracted position relative to the at least one article.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5, further including a second actuator for returning the plurality of guides to a retracted position.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a controller for controlling movement of the at least one actuator based on a pre-programmed profile corresponding to the shape of the at least one article.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one article is a plurality of articles, and further including a controller for controlling movement of the at least one actuator based on a pre-programmed profile corresponding to a shape of each of the plurality of articles.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of guides comprise first guides along one side of the at least one article, the at least one actuator comprises a first actuator, and further including a plurality of second guides opposing the plurality of first guides, each being dynamically adjustable in a direction transverse to the conveying direction; and at least one second actuator for adjusting a relative position of the plurality of second guides in the transverse direction based on the shape of the at least one article.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of guides comprise first guides having a first elevation relative to the conveyor, and further including a plurality of second guides dynamically adjustable in the transverse direction, the plurality of second guides having a second elevation relative to the conveyor.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first elevation or second elevation is adjustable.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a conveyor for conveying the plurality of guides relative to the article conveyor.
 14. An apparatus for guiding at least one article having a shape, comprising: a conveyor for conveying the at least one article in a conveying direction; a plurality of guides for guiding the at least one article, the plurality of guides being dynamically adjustable in a direction transverse to the conveying direction; and at least one actuator for adjusting a relative position of the plurality of guides based on the shape of the at least one article.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the at least one actuator is adapted to move in the transverse direction.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the at least one actuator comprises a cam surface and each of the plurality of guides comprises a cam follower for engaging the camming surface.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the cam follower comprises a roller.
 18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of guides comprises a tip for engaging the at least one article.
 19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein each of the plurality guides includes a lock adapted for locking the guide at a deployed position relative to the at least one article, and unlocking for allowing the guide to move to a retracted position relative to the at least one article.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19, further including a second actuator for returning each of the plurality of guides to the retracted position.
 21. The apparatus of claim 14, further including a controller for controlling movement of the at least one actuator based on a pre-programmed profile corresponding to the shape of the at least one article.
 22. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the at least one article is a plurality of articles, and further including a controller for controlling movement of the at least one actuator based on a pre-programmed profile corresponding to a shape of each of the plurality of articles.
 23. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the plurality of guides comprise first guides along one side of the at least one article, the at least one actuator comprises a first actuator, and further including a plurality of second guides opposing the plurality of first guides, each being dynamically adjustable in the transverse direction; and at least one second actuator for adjusting a relative position of the plurality of second guides based on the shape of the at least one article.
 24. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the plurality of guides comprise first guides having a first elevation relative to the conveyor, and further including a plurality of second guides being dynamically adjustable in the transverse direction, the plurality of second guides having a second elevation relative to the article conveyor.
 25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the first elevation or second elevation is adjustable.
 26. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the conveyor comprises a star wheel.
 27. A method for guiding at least one article being conveyed in a conveying direction, the at least one article having a shape, comprising: guiding the at least one article being conveyed by dynamically adjusting a relative position of a plurality of guides in a direction transverse to the conveying direction based on the shape of the at least one article.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the adjusting step comprises moving the plurality of guides in the transverse direction different amounts to create a profile corresponding to an adjacent perimetrical surface of the at least one article.
 29. The method of claim 28, the adjusting step comprises raising or lowering the plurality of guides.
 30. The method of claim 28, the raising or lowering step comprises changing the elevation of a first set of guides of the plurality of guides relative to a second set of guides. 